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Based on mineralogical and technological investigations of the deposit 'Greda' important characteristics of bentonite clay were determined. Representative samples of the deposit were characterized with X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, chemical analysis, differential thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy. It was determined that the main mineral is montmorillonite and in subordinate quantities kaolinite, quartz and pyrite. The chemical composition generally shows high silica and alumina contents in all samples and small quantities of Fe3+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ cations. Based on technological and mineralogical research, bentonite from this deposit is a high-quality raw material for use in the ceramic industry.

The possibility to obtain glass-ceramics from basalt from the locality on Vrelo (Kopaonik mt.) is shown in this paper. The parent rock was ground to fraction -0.4 +0.1 mm, and then melted at 1250 - 1300°C. The crystallization melted bazaltic glass at 950°C during the time interval of 3 hours caused synthesis of a glass-ceramic material with a microstructure that has excellent mechanical properties according to the determined dynamic modulus of elasticity and uniaxial compresive strength. The phase composition of the obtained glass ceramic material was determined by XRPD using Rietveld refinement and SEM. Two phases were found: pyroxene which corresponds to omphacite of the composition (Na0.199 K0.180 Ca0.471 Mg0.249)1.1(Mg0.271Fe0.299Al0.430)1.0(Si1.704Ti0.046Al0.250)2.0O6 and glass with an approximate relationship 69:31

This study focuses on the mineralogical characterization of four raw clay samples from Dobrodo deposit, Serbia. Several analytical methods were applied to determine the chemical and mineralogical composition, morphology and physical properties (colour, plasticity, specific surface area, particle size and cation-exchange capacity) of the clay samples. Kaolinite, smectite and illite are the predominant phases in all of the samples studied that contain between 60.2 and 87.1 wt.% of clay. Quartz, feldspars, paragonite and Ti- and Fe-bearing phases were also identified. The relatively high SiO2/Al2O3 mass ratio indicates abundant quartz. The cation-exchange capacity of the samples varied between low and moderately charged clay minerals (12–52 mmol 100 g–1) with specific surface area values ranging from 94 to 410 m2 g–1. The plasticity index values (11–23%) suggest low to moderate plasticity. Preliminary results show that most of the raw clay from Dobrodo deposit might be suitable for use in ceramic applications.

Local and conventional raw materials?massive basalt from the Vrelo locality on Kopaonik mountain?have been used as starting materials to test their suitability for the production of glass-ceramics. Crystallization phenomena of glasses of the fused basalt rocks were studied by X-ray phase analysis optical microscopy and other techniques. Various heat treatments were used and their influences, on controlling the microstructures and properties of the products were studied with the aim of developing high strength glass-ceramic materials. Diopside CaMg(SiO3)2 and hypersthene ((Mg,Fe)SiO3) were identifies as the crystalline phases. The final products contained considerable amounts of a glassy phase. The crystalline size was in range of 8?480 ?m with plate or needle shape. Microhardness, crashing strength and wears resistence of the glass-ceramics ranged from 6.5?7.5, from 2000?6300 kg/cm2 and from 0.1?0.2 g/cm, respectively.